Episode 62: Billy Contreras
b"There are lots of amazing players out there but when you talk to the best players about who blows their minds, one name keeps popping up. Billy Contreras is only in his 30s, but his playing has been raising eyebrows and dropping jaws for over 20 years, from his days as a young fiddle prodigy to his mastery of other genres, including jazz, bluegrass, Western swing and country.\\n\\nWhen he was six years old, Contreras attended a local fiddle contest and was encouraged to study violin using the Suzuki method. At the age of ten Billy joined Buddy Spicher's Nashville Swing Band. By the time he was 12 years old Contreras won the National Oldtime Fiddlers' Contest. In his teens he studied with classical violinist Rachel Barton Pine and was selected for the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead international residency program.\\n\\nAs an adult, Billy has built an important career as a freelance artist, session player, jazz collaborator, fiddle competitor, and educator.\\n\\nTracks heard in this podcast:\\n- Hot House\\n- Move\\n- Oklahoma Stomp\\n- The Way You Look Tonight\\n- Hot House (Reprise)\\n- Start It Over\\n- Twilight\\n- Tombstone Junction\\n- Squirrel Hunters\\n\\nIf you enjoy this podcast, please take a second to like, comment, subscribe, and SHARE this with all your friends. Rockstar Violinist is the Electric Violin Shop podcast, hosted by Matt Bell and featuring interviews with the most creative and noteworthy electric strings performing and recording artists. Electric Violin Shop is the world leader in amplified strings. Shop at www.electricviolinshop.com or contact us at info@electricviolinshop.com for advice."